Dalian is choked with five-star
hotels
charging ¥800 for a room, and so it can seem too
expensive to stay for more than a night. One thing
to remember is that it's a beach town, meaning
that rates out of season (Sept-March) are usually
half those in summer. Be sure to try bargaining
wherever you go, as the supply of hotel space in
the city outnumbers the demand. There are some
budget options around
Shengli and
Zhongshan
squares in the heart of the city.
Dalian Binguan , 4 Zhongshan Square (tel
0411/2633111, fax 2634363). A stylish old place,
built by the Japanese in 1927, who also
constructed the Bank of China across the way. The
grandeur is worth it if you can afford it, and
breakfast is included in the rates. ¥300-500.
Friendship , Third Floor, 137 Renmin Lu
(tel 0411/2634121 ext 360). Above the Friendship
Store. Nobody speaks English and the place isn't
very efficiently run, but the rooms are nice
enough. ¥300-500.
Furama , 60 Renmin Lu (tel 0411/2630888,
fax 2804455). A very upscale Japanese hotel on
Renmin Lu, this place has every imaginable
facility, a lobby big enough for Wanda to play in
and palatial rooms. Standard doubles start at ¥1100.
¥700 and over.
Golden Plaza , 189 Tianjin Jie (tel
0411/2813188, fax 2648288). Nice three-star hotel
right in the heart of the shopping area. Doubles
from ¥786. ¥700 and over.
Holiday Inn , 18 Shengli Square (tel
0411/2808888, fax 2809704). Brand new and downtown
next to the train station. Doubles from ¥1060 in
summer, ¥500 in winter. ¥300 and over.
Huaneng , 4 Binhai Lu (tel 0411/2401939,
fax 2400734). Two-star hotel overlooking
Fujiazhuang Beach. ¥150-300.
Soldier's Guesthouse , 596 Zhongshan Lu
(tel 0411/4803628). South of centre, near Xinghai
Park and the aquarium; take trolley #202 and get
off at Xing Hai Jie Er Zhan. Dalian's best budget
option, this place is cheap, clean and friendly,
and has good heating and air conditioning. Plus,
the concierge wears a PLA uniform. It's near-empty
out of season, when ¥45 (a third of the triple
room price) can get you your own room with bath,
TV and view of the ocean, and you pay your
fraction of the fee and can share a room if you're
alone. ¥100-150.
Tourist Hotel , corner of Tianjin Jie
and Bao'an Jie (tel 0411/2807880). No-frills
flophouse overlooking central shopping area. ¥150-200.
Yaduda Fandian , 126 Zhongshan Lu (tel
0411/3633560, 3633860 or 3633470 ext 8899 or
8888). A rare, clean budget place near Shengli
Square and the train station, offering good
discounts in the winter. Dorms ¥30-75, doubles ¥100-150.
